Chapter 1: A Mutually Beneficial Agreement

There was an undercurrent of worry among the Nerazim of Shakuras. Millenia of isolation was shattered without warning. Aiur had fallen, and the secret refuge of the Dark Templar now became a haven for the Khalai. But it wasn't the arrival of their old enemies that concerned them the most. Rather, it was their new enemies.

The ravenous zerg that followed the refugees from Aiur onto Shakuras were now running amok. With each passing day, they entrenched themselves deeper onto the planet. Though the zerg had been repelled for the moment after Zeratul and Artanis launched an assault and killed several cerebrates, the danger was far from over.

Nowhere felt this unease more greatly than the capital city of Talematros. Now, those fears were given form as they learned that there would be a zerg visiting the city for negotiations. Zerg, brought into the very heart of Talematros itself.

An armed group of protoss marched through the streets of the great city, walking beneath the towering spires from which the Nerazim citizens watched the procession. In the center, surrounded by the guards, was the Queen of Blades.

Artanis and Zeratul were at the front, leading the group toward the citadel while the citizens observing from the side looked at them with guarded gazes. Their aversion wasn't directed at either Zeratul or Artanis, but rather the zerg behind them.

Once they entered the citadel, Kerrigan was brought to a private room. "The representatives of the Khalai and Nerazim are being gathered to hear your case," Zeratul said. "Your audience with them will be held in the morning. Until then you are to stay here."

"So you are having me wait in this place while you get your people together? Can't you protoss warp to wherever you want?" Kerrigan asked.

"You arrived without warning, and it takes time to organize a meeting of this magnitude," Zeratul said. "The proper procedures must be followed, and the various representatives must have time to prepare. And as for having you stay here, you can hardly expect us to let you walk freely throughout Talematros."

After the door was closed, Artanis and Zeratul stood outside to keep watch.

"She has been given one of the finest rooms in the citadel and yet she has the gall to be unpleased," Artanis said. "Really, what more does she expect from us. She is the one who is making a proposal to us, and she should be fortunate that we are treating her as well as we are."

"Indeed. The guest quarters are furnished with all that one would need and have the finest psionic crystals." Zeratul paused for a moment. "Though I don't think the zerg get sustenance like protoss do by drawing energy from psionic crystals."

"I would think that like primitive beasts, the zerg obtain sustenance from consuming organic matter through a digestive tract," Artanis said. "We protoss have never had a need for such methods of obtaining sustenance, so we don't have food for whatever zerg creatures eat."

"This is somewhat concerning," Zeratul said.

"Concerning?" Artanis seemed incredulous. "I am sure that she can survive for a day without food. And hopefully by that time we will have washed our hands of her."

"Yes, but what if we should need to host Terran guests?" Zeratul said. "I had been considering allowing Raynor to visit Talematros after he and Fenix are able to evacuate from Aiur."

"I find myself ignorant on this topic," Artanis said. "Perhaps we can look into it, but for now the threat to Shakuras remains our top priority. After all, while we are safe in the city now, the zerg continue to infest Shakuras. Our battle against them is what we must focus on."

Artanis spotted another figure approaching. "Ah, Executor. How has the battle been going?"

"It was of little difficulty to clean up the remnants of the zerg broods after we killed the cerebrates," Selendis replied. "We were able to complete our task not long after you left. But while I have been fighting the zerg, it seems that you have brought a zerg in."

"I dislike this as much as you," Artanis said. "Yet the matriarch has granted Kerrigan's request for an audience, and as such we shall grant it."

"Maybe we shouldn't let the Nerazim make all of the decisions for us," she said. "The Khalai have no need to subordinate ourselves to them, especially when they make such questionable choices."

"Selendis, this is not the time for pride to cause petty strife between us. As we are taking refuge on their homeworld, it is only right that we respect them."

"Very well Artanis. In that case I have other things to do." Selendis walked off.

Once she had left, Artanis turned to Zeratul. "I apologize for her attitude. It has been a trying time for us, and change is uncomfortable to many. Not everyone is so pleased with the current arrangement."

"I understand," Zeratul said. "We have had to hide in the shadows for millennia. This reluctant acceptance we have now is as much as can be hoped for."

Finally, it came time for the leaders of the protoss to gather and discuss their future plans for the war. Raszagal, who was presiding over the conference, allowed Kerrigan to deliver the information she had in the hopes that it may prove useful.

So here Zeratul was now, opening the doors to the main hall as the Nerazim guards escorted their guest into the chamber. Waiting for them was Raszagal as well as Aldaris who represented the Khalai protoss.

Raszagal spoke from her seat at the end of the hall. "Now then, Kerrigan. Perhaps you had best explain yourself. What is this news you've come to give?"

Kerrigan waited for a few moments of silence before responding. "There is a new Overmind growing on Char."

The demeanor of those in the room instantly changed, with shock and disbelief being the primary emotions. Aldaris was impassive, though Artanis could feel that the Judicator was unamused by how they were entertaining this farce.

Zeratul was the first to interject. "What? Impossible! Why should we believe anything you have to say?"

"Because, Zeratul, I'm no longer the mindless murderess whom you fought on Char. The Overmind is dead. Whatever warped control it once had over me is gone. I know that this is a lot to take in all at once, but you've got to believe me! There's more at stake here than-" Kerrigan was cut off suddenly by Aldaris.

"She lies! She is infested to the core! I for one will not listen to any of this…" Aldaris's rant was cut off as Raszagal motioned for him to cease.

"Silence, Judicator. Continue, Kerrigan."

Aldaris was already enraged by how much latitude the Dark Templar were giving the zerg, and the casual dismissal showed that the Matriarch had no intention to listen to any of his suggestions.

"If you will not listen to my counsel, then there is no point in me being here." Aldaris stormed out of the room without taking a single look back.

After the doors slammed shut behind her, Kerrigan continued explaining. "Apparently, many of the renegade Cerebrates, commanded by Daggoth, have merged into a new Overmind. Fortunately, the creature is still in its infant stages. It can't control the Swarm yet, but Daggoth and the others still have control over most of the Broods. The two Cerebrates you killed here were part of Daggoth's forces. Look, I don't need to tell you all what might happen if that thing reaches maturity. I can guarantee you that should it awaken, it'll take full control of me just like it did before. I don't want that to happen, and I'm pretty sure you don't want it to happen either."

Kerrigan's plea sounded sincere, and it was even believable that she wished to throw off the Overmind's control. Still, Zeratul had his doubts. "Even if what you say is true, our priority is to save this world, not assault the new Overmind! We must find the crystals Uraj and Khalis before we are all vanquished."

Finally, Raszagal interjected. "The news Kerrigan brings is indeed disturbing. The Overmind is the enemy of all of us. It must be destroyed to ensure that our people will survive. If not today, then some day in the future we will need to kill it. But what Zeratul says is true. It will do no good to destroy a future threat if we fall here. Shakuras must come first, so our focus must be on finding the Uraj and Khalis."

"Then I'll help you with your search," Kerrigan said quickly. "I will lend my aid to retrieve the crystals and allow you to destroy the zerg on Shakuras. Once your home is secured I would wish for you to join me in assaulting the Overmind."

"You seek to use us, to kill your enemies with a borrowed blade. We can obtain the Uraj and Khalis without your help," Zeratul said. "I will not have you bind us to sacrifice ourselves for you in a risky endeavor."

"My children, you must not allow your fears and misgivings to cloud your judgement. Though she has been your enemy, it is enough that we share the same agenda now. Allow her time enough to prove herself to you, and you may find her to be a valued ally. For now, we must focus on the task at hand," Raszagal said as she made her judgement. "We must find and collect the Uraj and Khalis. The Uraj is located on the planet Braxis, but finding the Khalis may prove difficult. The crystal went missing and its location is unknown."

Zeratul was silent for a few moments. Finally, he spoke. "I remember sensing the power of the Khalis in my journey. It is on the planet Char."

Kerrigan smiled. "Well, that resolves the problem quite nicely then doesn't it? While we are on Char to collect the Khalis, we can kill the Overmind as well. Once the Overmind is dead, the broods will be thrown into disarray and acquiring the Khalis will be a simple matter."

"We know not how well the Overmind is defended, or whether we can even succeed," Zeratul said. "If we fail to kill the Overmind and lose the Khalis, then all will be lost!"

Raszagal gestured for silence. "Zeratul, my command to you shall be this. If there is indeed a new Overmind growing on Char, and it can be slain without significantly compromising our ability to secure the Khalis, then you shall take the opportunity to do so. We will have rid ourselves of a dangerous threat and secured the safety of our people for the time being. If the Overmind cannot be slain at that time, then once Shakuras is secured we will reconsider our options. Zeratul, Kerrigan, is this acceptable to you?"

"I will do as you say, Matriarch," Zeratul said as he bowed.

Kerrigan nodded. "Very well. I will agree to this plan."

"Then we shall go to collect the Uraj immediately. Artanis, prepare the fleet to depart for Braxis before the next moonrise," Raszagal ordered.

Artanis seemed somewhat unpleased. But unlike Aldaris, he had no desire to make a scene, as this would only further the divide between the protoss. "We will do what you ask, Matriarch. But you cannot expect us to forgive Kerrigan's crimes against our race."

After the meeting, Kerrigan was escorted onto the protoss ship that would lead the expedition.

"You have been given a chance," Artanis said. "Should you act against us, then I will hunt you down. Nothing will be able to protect you from my wrath. So, would you like to reconsider accompanying us to Braxis? I will allow you to leave this one time."

"Why would I do that? After all, I really am trying to help you out," Kerrigan said with a smile. "I really have no interest in fighting you anymore."

"We shall see," Artanis said. While Artanis went to finish the military preparations, Zeratul continued to keep a close eye on Kerrigan, though there was no need for him to be concerned at the moment. As it turned out, she wasn't actually planning anything malicious at the moment.

In truth, Kerrigan was quite pleased with how everything was going. The protoss were on board with helping her, and she felt confident in being able to arrange for them to kill the Overmind when the time comes. And even if Zeratul could come up with a reason to deny her, the protoss would still go on to destroy many of the broods that opposed her. And after that she would have an in with them to persuade them to kill the Overmind later.

All in all, her trip to Shakuras was a great success. There wasn't even any need for her to resort to unreliable and risky maneuvers like trying to control the Matriarch. With the protoss already working as she wished, it would be foolhardy to do something that might expose her. With all the pieces in place, she needed only to follow through with her support.

Author's note:

This is my attempt to tell a story set in the time period of Brood War, with the premise being that Kerrigan is able to convince the Protoss to kill the Overmind during her first visit to Shakuras. Of course, this will have a large impact on what is to come.

A secondary change, which isn't particularly relevant insofar as this story is concerned right now, as this is a Brood War fic, but which may be important later, is that I will be ignoring the events of SC2 and treating it as noncanon. There will be no prophecy, no artifact ex machina, no half baked redemption arc, and definitely no flaming chicken goddess. That isn't to say that I won't borrow some elements from SC2, but the worst parts will be discarded. Thus, this fic can be considered AU.